Los Angeles Rams: Full 7-Round 2017 Mock Draft before the NFL Combine

The Los Angeles Rams have many needs to address in the 2017 Draft. The NFL combine begins February 28. Here is our first full mock draft.

We think the Rams most desperately need to draft a wide receiver as well as a defensive back with their two first picks. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will need to bolster their offensive line — though that may be best suited for veteran players in free agency.

John Ross, WR, Washington (Round Two, Pick 37)

Ross is considered one of the top five receivers available in the draft (via Rotoworld):

“Vertical receiver where everything plays off his downfield game. Speed is outstanding, as is quickness to break off routes to the outside. Kick returner and yards after catch threat. Outstanding red zone and end zone production as well.”

Ross had the most touchdowns (17) out of any Power-5 conference receiver last season. He also had 81 receptions for 1,150 yards — or 14.2 yards per catch.

The Washington star is 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds with a projected 40-yard dash time of 4.25 seconds and a vertical jump of 38 inches. His three-cone drill was 6.71 seconds (via The News Tribune).

Despite his small size, he compares more to top wideouts like Odell Beckham, Jr., Antonio Brown and T.Y. Hilton than a typical slot receiver.

“As top NFL corners have become bigger and more reliant on length than pure movement skills, there are now opportunities for smaller, quicker receivers to become an offense’s top target, bouncing around in formations.”

Brandin Cooks, who also came out of the Pac-12, had a 4.33-second 40 time with a 36″ vertical jump and a 6.76s three-cone drill. Cooks, who has become a productive NFL player, is also shorter than Ross.

DeSean Jackson, also out of the Pac-12, had a 4.35s 40-yard dash with a 34.5″ vertical and a 6.82s three-cone drill. Jackson has been a mentor for Ross in recent years.

Ross would be an excellent complement to an already speedy receiving option in the slot for the Rams with Tavon Austin.

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Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC (Round 3, Pick 69)

If the Rams drafted Jackson, he would become an immediate fan favorite in Los Angeles after dominating at USC over the past few seasons.

The Rams have already met with defensive backs like Cameron Sutton from Tennessee and Desmond King from Iowa. If the Rams drafted a cornerback with one of their earlier selections, they’d have more reason to save money and not re-sign Trumaine Johnson.

Here’s what one scouting report recently said about Jackson (via NFL.com):

“There are two things teams love — ball production from cornerbacks and return men who can play meaningful snaps on every down. Jackson fits those criteria. His lack of size and length are concerns, but he has the athleticism to step right in as a slot corner on the next level. His combination of coverage and return talent could make him an early impact player.”

That report compares Jackson to two-time Pro Bowl defensive back Jonathan Joseph, who was nearly the exact same size as Jackson entering the draft.

The USC star grew up near St. Louis before moving to Los Angeles (sound familiar?) and has always been a fan of the Rams. Plus, he would play in the stadium that was his collegiate home.

Julie’n Davenport, OT, Bucknell (Round 4, Pick 110)

Though he is athletic and skilled, he reportedly showed poor technique and isn’t fully there. Here’s what one more positive scouting report, however, said about Davenport (via Walter Football):

“At the start of the 2016 season, there was a real buzz in the scouting community about Davenport. Area scouts and national scouts from every team visited Bucknell to see him. Sources say they believe that Davenport is likely to go on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft. Some team sources really like him and feel he has a starting-left tackle skill set. They love his athleticism, length and upside. He needs some work developing his body, but they believe he could be a starter in the NFL.

He has 36-inch arms, an 87.5-inch wingspan (the best of anyone at the Senior Bowl) and a projected 40-yard dash time of 5.10 seconds.

For comparison, Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith had 36.75″ arms, an 85.34″ wingspan and a 40-yard time of 5.08s. So with work, he has the right body type to be a stud offensive lineman.

Davenport said he looks up to Smith and often watches his tape. He could be a huge steal in this draft. Plus, the Rams have already met with him for an interview so they’ve expressed interest.

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Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama (Round 4, Pick 139)

Some may wonder why the Rams would draft another tight end with Lance Kendricks, Tyler Higbee and Terramick Hemingway already on the roster.

The truth of the matter is that none of these players project as a future starting tight end in the NFL.

The Rams have also reportedly already met with Everett. He has received endless comparisons to Washington tight end Jordan Reed, who thrived under current Rams coach Sean McVay when he was an offensive coordinator in the NFC East.

Jared Goff desperately needs a playmaker. With Los Angeles likely to cut Kendricks for extra cap space, Everett would be a perfect addition for the Rams if he’s still available considering he’s an excellent receiver.

He’s 6-foot-2 and 227 pounds with 32.88″ arms and 8.25″ hands. Let’s compare that with Reed, who was also 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds. He had similarly large 33″ inch arms but bigger hands at 10 inches.

Everett has a projected 40-yard dash time of 4.68s while Reed was slower at 4.72 seconds.

Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Florida Atlantic (Round 5, Pick 150)

“Hendrickson had a strong week at the Shrine Game and was impressive in his timing and jump off the line of scrimmage when locking down the edge. His hand use is also well-developed coming from a smaller program and could help Hendrickson get on the field early … Hendrickson is currently one of the fastest risers on my board after a strong all-star circuit and further film review.”

According to DraftAnalyst.com, Hendrickson has run 40-yard dashes in the low 4.6-second range and his vertical has exceeded 37 inches. He can bench “at least 25 reps” and is expected to play at 275 pounds.

With new Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips expected to implement the 3-4 defense next season, Los Angeles could use another edge rusher.

If Hendrickson proves to be a successful pick, the Rams could potentially cut someone on the defensive line Eugene Sims, William Hayes or even Robert Quinn.

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Kyle Kalis, OG, Michigan (Round 6, Pick 190)

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman from Michigan has interesting potential in the upcoming NFL Draft.

With 32.88″ arms and 10.25″ hands, he has undeniable athletic potential. One report during the East-West Shrine Game had mostly positive things to say about the offensive guard (via Walter Football):

“He’s had a solid couple of days. He is a well-rounded interior blocker who fights hard at the point of attack. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but Kalis has the talent to develop into a starting competitor at guard as a mid-round pick.”

Detroit Free Press described Kalis as “overly aggressive on the field, witty off it and eager to live in the spotlight” — which sounds like a perfect fit for a player in Los Angeles.

Kalis played in a pro-style coach with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and is regarded as a “power scheme blocker” by Matt Miller.

For a late round pick, he seems like a great choice for the Rams, especially if they choose to sign a more immediately ready offensive guard in free agency.

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Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin (Round 6, Pick 220)

This would be a risky pick for the Rams, considering Clement never lived up to what Wisconsin hoped he would become as the running back replacement for Melvin Gordon.

The former Badgers star is one of the running backs with the most to prove during the combine (via NFL.com):

“Clement looked like an NFL starter at the Reese’s Senior Bowl last month, looking as agile and running as hard as he did on his best days with the Badgers. He had some issues during his time in Madison, however, with injuries, attitude issues, and lying to the team about an altercation in which he was involved. But in 2016, Clement had bounce-back moments while reliably handling a 314-carry workload.”

However, he is a talented running back considered between one of the top twelve to top fifteen to halfbacks available in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Rams are not looking for a starting running back as Todd Gurley has that spot locked down.

When he was the backup to Gordon, Clement had 6.5 yards per carry with nine touchdowns. With Benny Cunningham likely to leave Los Angeles, it feels like Clement could be a good pick to replace him on the Rams.

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Hardy Nickerson, Jr., LB, Illinois (Round 7, Pick 226)

He is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Hardy Nickerson, who was a four-time NFL All-Pro defender.

Nickerson was the linebackers coach for the Bucs as well as the Chicago Bears. Last season, he was the defensive coordinator for Illinois and his son transferred to play for him for his final collegiate season. Nickerson twice worked under Lovie Smith.

Nickerson, Jr. recently received a projection between the fifth and seventh round in the upcoming draft (via Walter Football):

“Sources say that Nickerson could be draftable late in the 2017 NFL Draft. He totaled 107 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, two sacks and two interceptions in 2016. Nickerson could be a backup linebacker and special teams contributor in the NFL.”

Meanwhile, the Rams have an affinity for football lineages. Coach McVay is the grandson of the former San Francisco 49ers general manager.

Similarly, Defensive coordinator Phillips is the son of legendary NFL head coach Bum Phillips. Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer hired his son. The grandson of Don Shula is on the staff as well.

During the final season at Cal for Nickerson, he led the team with 112 tackles.